Driving Differences: Australia vs. Lithuania Explained
Explore the notable contrasts in road regulations and practices between Australia and Lithuania, two nations with distinct driving cultures. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol regulations, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe travels abroad. Dive in to discover how to navigate each country's unique traffic environment effectively.
Lanes
| Australia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Separation of opposing traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
lithuania:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
lithuania:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
lithuania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
lithuania:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
lithuania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lithuania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes, issued by police. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
lithuania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
lithuania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Australia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Indicates prepared to start |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
lithuania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Australia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Australia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Mandatory annual check |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
australia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
lithuania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Substantial; varies based on BAC level |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
lithuania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
lithuania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
australia:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
australia:
Can result in license suspension
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Australia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
lithuania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
lithuania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
lithuania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
lithuania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lithuania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lithuania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Yes, by police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
lithuania:
Yes, by police
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay